Local historians credit Ed Frank, as the "father" and inventor of the first swamp buggy. He developed his original "skeeter" between 1918 and 1920 while in Bonita Springs for hunting, using parts from a junked Model T Ford and an orange crate box for a seat.

Rick Caperton, a swamp buggy driver since 1975, described the motivation of a swamp buggy builder when he said, "You can't buy swamp buggy wheels at a store."

As early as 1917, wood buggies were being built, capable of clearing the tall cypress stumps along the narrow Seminole trails in the Everglades.

Through the decades, they evolved into the 8-cylinder, fire-breathing racing machines that scramble around a watery track, but the drivers have remained the same, limited only by the extent of their creativity. "I had no money; I built it out of junk," said Ed Frank, about how, at 19, he built Skeeter, a buggy he drove over mountains in California.

When he returned to Bonita Springs, Ed Frank modified Skeeter to access the Everglades for hunting. He soon moved to Naples and settled on 220 acres of wilderness.

Frank and his hunter buddies would work on their swamp buggies all year and try them out just before hunting season opened on Nov. 1. These vehicles had to get them into the woods and also get them out again, so they tested them out at boggy places around town.Sidney Griffin, another hunter, found a more challenging location in East Naples, off what would become Radio Road. It was a piece of property used to grow sweet potatoes and turned to pure muck after the potatoes were dug up; perfect!Every season, wives, children and friends would gather to watch the men test run their buggies. In 1947, Ed Frank suggested to Stuart Rabb, editor of the paper, that they parade the buggies through town and invite the townspeople to watch the men test their swamp-worthiness and have a few laughs.

The parade started at the Naples Hotel, ended with festivities at Cambier Park, and then off they all went to the "tater patch," to watch the men challenge each other's buggies in the mud. The year was 1949.

From then on, everyone looked forward to the annual Swamp Buggy parade and race, at the start of hunting season. There was no charge to attend that first race; a small fee for the second, and then, activities were included during the parade to raise money for the community. That same year, another tradition was started when Joan Ozier was crowned as the first Swamp Buggy Queen.In 1957, another tradition started. H.W. McCurry was so excited when he won that he grabbed the queen, gown and all, and dunked her in the muckiest part of the Mile-O-Mud, as the old 'tater patch was called. That day the tradition of the race winner and the queen jumping into the Sippy Hole together was born. But, it was Milton Morris who deserves recognition for the Sippy Hole, at least in naming it.

Morris was a cracker from Mississippi, who came to Naples determined to race a swamp buggy. So he built a bright, red-striped buggy and entered each race. Race after race, he would get stuck in the track's deepest, 6-foot, muckiest part. The crowds roared each time his floppy hat floated away from his submerged buggy. Morris' nickname was Sippy."Yeah, I dug that hole as deep as it is today," said Sippy. "For five years, I never got out of that hole, so they named the hole after me!"By the 1960s, drivers sought to build faster buggies, rather than buggies that could charge through the muck. Fences went up and new environmental protection laws began to restrict entry into the Everglades.

By the 1970s, two races a year were held and then, three. In 1982, the need for a new location for the races became urgent. Development on Radio Road, coupled with the lack of parking for fans, and the fact that the old 'tater patch was not zoned recreational, prompted the Swamp Buggy Board to purchase a shooting range off CR 951 in 1985. The first race at the new Florida Sports Park was held in 1986.

Prize money grew slowly over the years, but never came anywhere close to the cost of building the buggies. Charitable contributions to the community continue today. Swamp Buggy racing's national exposure has attracted national sponsors, but every driver will admit that no matter how much they receive, their costs are never covered. Spending upwards of $100,000 on a buggy is not unusual.In 1999. Naples Mayor Bill Barnett proclaimed the weekend of Oct. 29 to 31 as Swamp Buggy Weekend, in honor of the event's 50th anniversary.

By Martha Simons, Bonita Springs, FL

History: Swamp Buggies, a local traditionBy: By Lila Zuck

Wednesday, October 22, 2008Rick Caperton, a swamp buggy driver since 1975, described the motivation of a swamp buggy builder when he said, "You can't buy swamp buggy wheels at a store."As early as 1917, wood buggies were being built, capable of clearing the tall cypress stumps along the narrow Seminole trails in the Everglades.Through the decades, they evolved into the 8-cylinder, fire-breathing racing machines that scramble around a watery track, but the drivers have remained the same, limited only by the extent of their creativity. "I had no money; I built it out of junk," said Ed Frank, about how, at 19, he built Skeeter, a buggy he drove over mountains in California.When he returned to Bonita Springs, Ed Frank modified Skeeter to access the Everglades for hunting. He soon moved to Naples and settled on 220 acres of wilderness.Into the woods for Paul Frank, left, Henry Espenlaub, Ed Frank and Roy Smith and the first swamp buggy.

For more about Buggies in early Bonita Springs - click on image below to read full story by Barbara Wyland and see photos.

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The Bonita Springs Historical Society was formed in 1984 by a small and dedicated group of individuals who shared an interest in discovering and preserving the unique heritage of the area. The Society strives to build enthusiasm about Bonita Springs, and to share historical knowledge with the community. The members are involved in Historical Preservation on the local and county levels.

Our mission is to Preserve, Protect, and Promote the rich cultural heritage of Bonita Springs.